Marlie Jo Willems was born in Iowa City on March 1, 2013, to Nate and Maggie Willems of Mount Vernon. She weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces and was 20 inches long. Marlie is named for her grandmothers, Arlie Willems and Mary Jo Lessmeier.

Marlie is welcomed home by big sisters Ava, 4, and Emery, 3. Marlie's grandparents include Terry and Mary Jo Lessmeier of Mount Vernon and Jay and Arlie Willems of Anamosa. Great-grandparents are Harold and Alice Jean Lessmeier of Fort Dodge and Beryle Thoreson of Story City.